Types of Tooth Injuries and How to React If They Happen

Posted on 4/30/2017 by Beautiful Smiles Office

There are many different kinds of injuries that your teeth can sustain. They can become cracked, chipped, broken, and even be knocked loose or completely out. Having a tooth get injured is sometimes a very big deal, while other times it is incredibly minor.

If you are worried that one of your teeth sustained an injury, give your dentist a call and tell them what happened. They can then help you decide if you need to be seen, or if everything should be alright.

The Most Common Injuries to Teeth

Typically, the most minor injury to a tooth is a slight chip. This can happen even when you are really careful with your teeth, by simply biting down on something wrong. If you can find the piece that chipped off, you can put it into a zipped bag for the next time you see your dentist, but it would only be to show it to them. It is not like they could put it back on.

A crack can happen for any number of reasons. You may have a cavity that broke through the surface, or may have hit the tooth on something causing the injury. This is something you need to go in and get checked, as it can lead to a lot of pain if left untreated.

A tooth that gets knocked loose should be very gently held in place until you get to an emergency dentist's office. They will then see what can be done to help protect the tooth while it heals. If your tooth comes out, put it into milk and keep pressure on the bleeding socket until a dentist can see you. That way, you may be able to have the tooth put back in.